Post installation

ABSTRACT

A device for use in erecting a post. The device comprises a tubular body intended for installation in the ground, e.g. in concrete within a hole, and a deformable collar for tightly retaining a post adapted to interengage with the tubular body in tight engagement. The collar is slightly deformed so as to receive the post and retain it in place. However, with appropriate equipment the post can be readily removed and replaced, for example, if accidentally damaged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for use in the erection of posts, forexample road signs, fence posts and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art arrangements for post erection usually entail the digging ofan appropriately sized hole, the placement of a post therein and thenfilling in the hole with concrete to maintain the post in place. Ofcourse, while the cement is drying the post needs to be continuallysupported. Furthermore, should the post be damaged and need to bereplaced, it is necessary to break up the concrete in order to removethe damaged post and replace it with another, undamaged, one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide apparatus whichprovides a solid support for posts, which is relatively resistant to acasual vandal, yet enables their speedy erection.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for use inerection of a pest which allows the post to be readily replaced.

In one aspect the present invention may be considered to provide adevice for use in the erection of a post comprising a tubular bodyportion which is adapted to be firmly installed in a supporting stratum,e.g. the ground, and has an open end adapted to receive a post to besupported, and a resiliently deformable collar having an opening adaptedto receive the post and the collar being adapted to be inserted withinand engage with the tubular body portion, thus to retain a post insertedtherein tight engagement.

The tubular body portion, and collar have generally similarcross-sectional shapes and are preferably circular in cross-section,although they may be of any desired cross-section shape, for examplesquare, The relative dimensions of the body portions, collar andassociated post are chosen to be such as permit the collar to bepositioned between the tubular body portion and associated postinterengaging with each thus to secure the post in the tubular bodyportion.

The collar is preferably made of a resiliently compressible polymericmaterial, for example polyurethane or rubber (natural or synthetic).

The tubular body portion is suitably made from metal, but canalternatively be made from any other sufficiently rigid material; insome cases carbon-fibre reinforced plastics material may be suitable.Where the body portion is to be driven into the ground it is importantto select a material which can be rammed into the ground withoutsignificant damage and which will provide an adequate socket for anassociated post.

Suitably, in this case, the tubular body portion provided with a closedor substantially closed end, which is suitably tapered or generallyhemispherical shape or other shape suitable to aid penetration, thus tofacilitate driving the body portion into the ground.

In another device in accordance with the invention the tubular bodyportion is adapted to be inserted in a preformed hole, and concreted inplace.

The tubular body portion is preferably provided with means, e.g.outwardly projecting flange portions, militating against tilting of thebody portion away from a desired orientation when installed, e.g. by atransverse load applied to the post. The body portion may be providedwith means militating against rotation of the body portion about itslengthwise axis after it has been installed.

A device in accordance with the invention may comprise interlockingmeans at an outer surface of the collar and an inner surface of thetubular body portion, adapted to interlock with one another when thecollar is properly inserted in the tubular body portion, thus tomilitate against removal of the collar from the body portion and/orrotation of the collar relative to the body portion. In one embodimentthe interlocking means comprise a plurality of resiliently deformableoutwardly protruding teeth on the collar and orifices in the bodyportion in which the teeth engage, in use. In another embodiment theinterlocking means comprises one or more lengthwise grooves or recessedin the body port ion and one or more co-operating projections on thecollar so that the body portion and the collar may mutually engage in apredetermined orientation. The collar may also comprise a plurality ofridges extending along or generally around the collar, on the inner orouter surface, to provide a good interference fit with the post and bodyportion respectively, to retain a post in place in the body portionagainst withdrawal.

In a preferred embodiment the collar comprises an inwardly projectinglip around the post-receiving orifice, adapted to provide a sealmilitating against ingress of foreign matter between the collar and apost on which the collar is received. The lip may also extend upwardlyand have a generally conical external surface to facilitate dispersal ofwater which may flow down the post.

Whereas the tubular body portion is, in the embodiments described indetail herein, adapted to be inserted in the ground, generallyperpendicular to the surface thereof, it will be appreciated that thebody portion may be fixed in other strata, for example in a roof or wallstructure, or may be arranged to receive a post inclined at an acuteangle, e.g. 45° to the surface of the substrate in which the bodyportion is inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the following drawings in which like numbers represent likeparts and in which

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first device embodying the invention,showing a first tubular body portion, a first collar and associatedpost;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are, respectively, lengthwise section and plan viewsof a second collar of a device embodying the invention;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are, respectively, lengthwise section and plan viewsof a third collar of a device embodying the invention;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are, respectively, side and lengthwise section viewsof a fourth collar of a device embodying the invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a device embodying the invention showing asecond tubular body portion, fifth collar, and including an inspectionpit, adapted to be concreted in place.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third tubular body portion and sixthcollar of a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a device embodying the invention, including a fourthbody portion and a seventh two-part collar;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular body portion of a deviceembodying the invention; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a sixth, rectangulartubular body portion and eighth collar, of a device embodying theinvention for use in erecting a barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first device embodying the invention comprises a first tubular bodyportion 1 in the form of a metal cylinder, which comprises an open upperend 2, and a closed generally hemispherical opposite end 3. The bodyportion 1 further comprises a plurality of rectangular orifices 4 in anupper portion thereof, wherein each orifice 4 occupies the samehorizontal plane the orifices being generally evenly disposed around thecircumference of the body portion. A collar 5 of resiliently deformablematerial comprises an open ended cylinder, for receiving a post 7, thecollar having a plurality of protruding teeth on the outer surfacethereof, adapted to be received within the body portion 1 and said teethbeing positioned to interlock with the orifices 4 in tight engagementwhen the collar is inserted into the open end 2 of the body portion 1with the teeth and orifices in alignment. To this end guide means (notshown) may be provided on the collar 5 and body portion 1 so that thecollar can only be inserted in the portion 1 when the teeth 6 andorifices 4 are correctly aligned. Such guide means may conveniently be alug projecting outwardly of the collar 5, received in a longitudinalgroove on the body portion 1; the lug and groove are preferablypositioned so that the collar 5 adapts a predetermined position relativeto the body portion 1. Alternatively a lug on the body portion i may bereceived in a groove on the collar.

A preferred collar provides a tight interference fit between tubularbody portion and post, thereby to secure the post 7 in position. Inpreferred collars 5a, 5d lengthwise extending ridges 110 (see FIGS. 2and 5) are provided on an inner surface defining an opening in which apost is to be received, to facilitate insertion of the post. However,the ridges and grooves can be of any suitable geometry, for examplecircumferential as the ridges 110a in a third collar (FIG. 3), or evenhelical (not shown) in other collars of devices embodying, g theinvention and may be provided on internal or external surfaces of thecollar or, indeed, both surfaces if desired. The ease of insertion andwithdrawal when assembling or dismantling the device is dependent on theform and depth of any ridges, to some extent. Furthermore, the use oflengthwise ribs 110 also accommodates slight variations of post size,for example as may arise through manufacturing tolerances. Moulding thecollar in two (or more) operations may also provide desiredcharacteristics, e.g. with a relatively rigid annular core, inner andouter surface portions of a somewhat softer, more compressible,preferably high hysteresis, material may provide greater grip to postand body portion than the core material.

The collars of devices embodying the invention are of resilientlydeformable material, preferably polyurethane of a suitable hardness: ifhardness is too great, assembly is too difficult and if too soft collarstend to collapse. A Shore D hardness of about 65 with a collar minimumwall thickness (i.e. excluding any ridges) of about 5 mm has been foundsuitable for many applications. Casting of the collars will bedifficult, if the wall thickness is too low, as well as providing toolittle deformation.

The collars may comprise reinforcing means moulded integrally with thecollar, for example a wire mesh or any other suitable means e.g. carbonfibre or woven or non-woven textile fibre.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show a fourth collar 5c for a fourth deviceembodying the invention. The collar 5c comprises an inwardly projectinglip 15 which projects inwardly around the central opening 17 in which apost is to be received and projects upwardly above the level of aflanged end portion 19 of the collar 5c to form a tight seal; betweenthe collar 5c and post inserted therein whereby to prevent ingress ofdirt and any other foreign matter between post 7 and collar 5c; theflange 19 may prevent ingress of foreign matter between the collar 5cand a co-operating tubular body portion. The outer surface 112 of thelip is preferably frustoconical to facilitate shedding of water from thecollar.

From an underface of the flange 19 a small lug 20 projects. This lug isadapted to seat in a corresponding recess 22 at the open end portion ofa tubular body portion 21, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5, whereby to locatethe collar 5c and body portion 21 in a desired orientation around thelengthwise axis of the tubular body portion. This ensures that anopening 24 in the collar 5c is accurately aligned with a correspondingopening 224 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) in the body portion so that electrical(or other) services can be introduced through the collar 5c and bodyportion 21 to the post 7, e.g. for illuminating a sign or operatingtraffic lights.

The body portion 21 (FIG. 5) comprises upper and lower flanges 26, 28secured at opposite ends of a tubular core 27. An intermediate flange 29is also secured to the core and extends part way round it. Adjacent alower end portion of the core 27 an internal support ring (not shown)may extend around the core and is secured thereto.

The flange 29 is positioned between and parallel to the flanges 26, 28,and lying in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of theportion 21. The provision of the additional flange 29 may serve a numberof functions, for example if a post of the device is struck, theadditional flange may facilitate transfer of the shock to the concretein which the body portion, 21 is embedded and militate againstdistortion of the body portion, as well as providing further stability.One or more intermediate flanges may be used, as desired; the plane ofany intermediate flange may be other than perpendicular to the axis Aand if inclined to the axis may be oriented to provide greatestresistance to impact from a most likely direction, for example if usedin the installation of posts on motorway central reservation barriersadjacent one of the carriageways, the direction of traffic on thatcarriageway. Instead of a single intermediate flange, a helical metalstrip (generally in the form of an augur) suitably extending between theflanges 26, 28, or a projecting wire support, or other means, could bewelded to or otherwise fixed to the exterior of a tube of the tubularbody portion to provide reinforcement and resistance to rotation of thebody portion.

In FIG. 6 is shown a device comprising a tubular body portion 21agenerally similar to the body portion 21 except that it compriseslengthwise vanes 30 which help to prevent rotation of the body portionand a lengthwise projecting peg 32a, secured to a part of a plateproviding the flange 28 within the tube 27 of the body portionpositioned to be slidingly received in a lengthwise extending slot 332in a post 7, to prevent rotation. Prevention of rotation and/or correctorientation of parts may be achieved in other ways, or the post may belocked in position by a bayonet-type joint in which an inwardlyprojecting peg on the tube portion is received in a slot, suitablyL-shaped at the lower end portion of a post by a lengthwise motion,followed by a rotary motion.

FIG. 8 shows a body portion 21c somewhat similar to the body portion 21but with a complete annular intermediate flange 29a and a lengthwiseaccess slot 224a at the lower end portion instead of the opening 224. Aninternal support ring 32 extends around the core and is secured to it.When a post is inserted in the body portion 21c the ring 32 ispositioned to be engaged by the lower end of the post thus to locate thepost lengthwise, spaced from the flange to ensure that wires introducedthrough the opening 224a are not damaged by the post.

Preferably, where introduction of wiring is necessary, the body portion21 is installed in association with an inspection pit 200 (FIG. 5). Thebody portion may be received in a complementary part-cylindrical channelwith the opening 224 in the body portion 21 opening directly into theinspection pit 200 through an aligned opening. An appropriate openingmay be provided in the post. Preferably, however, the pit 200 isconnected to the body portion 21 by an integral conduit 223 which opensinto the opening 224 and is secured to the body portion 21 by bolts (notshown). The bolts may, if desired, be pointed and arranged to engage thepost. This latter construction using conduit 223 permits a greater massof concrete to be cast in close proximity with the portion 21. A lid204, which may be lockable, is provided, The inspection pit 200 isconveniently made of any suitable material, for example a plasticsmaterial, e.g. polypropylene. Where a body portion 21a is used wires maybe introduced to the post through the open lower end of the post.

FIG. 7 shows a device having a two-part collar 105d, 105e. The upperpart 105d may be of any desired configuration, for example as describedpreviously, but as shown comprises a tapering constricted portion 120aremote from the flange 19. If desired the end portion of the collarremote from the flange 19 may be severed to adjust the "grip" affordedby the collar on an inserted pole and this feature may be used on singlecollars, e.g. collars otherwise similar to the collar 5a, if desired.

The lower part 105e has a tapering entrance portion 122b with alengthwise extending ridge/grooved portion 123b below the entranceportion 122b. Especially for posts 7e which require deep insertion, theprovision of a two part collar reduces costs whilst still providingadequate holding power. The upper or lower part may, if suitablydesigned, be used alone. Thus a relatively small number of appropriatelydesigned mouldings may, by suitable selection, be used to deal with awide variety of different.

The body portions 21, 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 areintended to be concreted in place in a preformed hole (which may be dugor made using a suitable augur or boring machine): this is especiallyuseful in some circumstances, e.g. in pedestrian areas in cities whichmay be paved, for example with appropriately laid bricks or otherpaving, where it is not possible to ram or hammer a body portion intothe ground because that would damage the paving.

In use the body portion 21c is seated at the bottom of a hole excavatedin the ground and concrete is poured into the hole around the core 27and allowed to set to hold the body portion 21 in place. The portion 21is positioned in a desired orientation so that the opening 224 iscorrectly oriented for introduction of electrical wiring or otherservices. The upper flange 26 overlays the surrounding paving or othersurface to some extent, hiding the excavation and disrupted paving wherethe excavation has occurred and presenting an attractive decorativeappearance. Although the upper flange 26 in FIGS. 5 and 8 is circular,in a body portion in accordance with the invention, the upper flange maybe of any desired shape in plan, e.g. rectangular (FIG. 9) or hexagonal,for example to match the surrounding paving.

The body portion 1 (FIG. 1) is driven into the ground typically by ahydraulic ram (of a type known to those skilled in the art as ahydraulic post inserting machine) up to the extent shown in FIG. 1,leaving the orifices 4 above the surface of the ground.

In a preferred assembly method the appropriate collar is first insertedinto the body portion and thereafter the selected pole introduced intothe collar and forced home. Preferably a suitable lubricant composition(which may be a soap-based product, for example a mixture of fatty acidsand fatty surfactants in an aqueous base with small amounts of solventand inorganic material) is applied to facilitate the forcing of the postinto the collar. Alternatively an appropriate collar is slid onto thebase of the selected post 7 and the combination of collar and postforced into engagement with the body portion, (which provides a socketfor the post). The assembly is such that the teeth 6 and the orifices 4interlock (in the FIG. 1 device), or that the collar retains the post inplace solely by friction in the other devices. Typically this forcedengagement causes slight deformations in the collar 5, which serve toconstrict the collar, thus to grip the post 7 firmly. The grip issufficient to prevent the rotation of the post relative to the bodyportion, where there are no teeth and to prevent vandals from casuallypulling the post out, yet permits the removal of the post by anappropriately equipped person. Such a person would use a pulling tool,common to the art, for directly wrenching out the post, after firstapplying lubricant, if necessary. Though the collar may occasionally bedamaged it is usually possible to remove the post without damage to thecollar or body portion, so that the collar can readily be re-used. Thecollars for common 76 mm diameter traffic sign posts must be a verytight fit to provide satisfactory grip and use of lubricant may beessential. Larger diameter posts, e.g. 115 mm traffic light posts maynot require such tight grip (though grip must nevertheless besubstantial in view of the greater masses and contact surface area whichwould normally be involved).

If desired, for example when installing posts for motorway crashbarriers, a body portion, for example the body portion 21 may beembedded in a concrete block of a desired shape, convenientlycylindrical and the pre-cast block dropped into a pre-formed hole.Conveniently, using a cylindrical block, a hole may be made using asuitable augur. A removable cap may be placed over the exposed openingin the tubular body portion to prevent ingress of debris duringinstallation whether carried in a pre-cast block or being concreted intoa hole into which concrete is poured and allowed to set round the bodyportion. The pre-cast block, after positioning in the hole is maintainedin place by compaction of the surrounding ground.

Various aspects of the body portion 21, e.g. the vanes 30, peg 32a,upper flange 26 and recess 20 may be used in a body portion adapted tobe rammed or otherwise driven into the ground as the body portion 1, ifdesired. Likewise various features of the different collars describedherein may be used in devices with body portions adapted to be rammed orotherwise secured in a substratum as appropriate.

Where the body portion is adapted to be installed so that a post securedtherein is inclined at an acute angle to the surface of the substratumthe upper flange may be inclined at a corresponding angle to the axis ofthe body portion so that it may seat contiguously with the surface.

The illustrative devices are especially suitable for use in erectingroad traffic signs or traffic lights but can be used for otherapplications involving erection of posts, for example motorway crashbarriers, pedestrian barriers (see FIG. 9), security fences, includingfor example British Rail trackside fences and other fences, supports foroverhead cables, e.g. for railway or tram use, and lamp posts, includingposts for seasonal lighting, e.g. Christmas, at seaside resorts or incity streets.

In all cases the illustrative devices can be readily installed andprovide security against unauthorised removal. The illustrative deviceswhich rely on friction between the collar and post on the one hand andbody portion on the other, permit the use of standard posts, without anyprojections or other interlocking members thus do not require specialpost constructions for effective operation. It is, of course, necessaryto ensure that the friction characteristics are satisfactory and thatthe physical characteristics of the collar give a desired degree ofsecurity, while yet permitting removal and replacement of posts readily,using the correct equipment and that chemical characteristics resistdegradation in ambient conditions (which may be very severe in roadtraffic signs).

I claim:
 1. A device for use in the erection of a post comprising:atubular body portion which is adapted to be firmly installed in asupporting stratum and has an open end adapted to receive a the post tobe supported, the tubular body portion includes means adapted to beseated in a preformed hole in the supporting stratum and held in placetherein; and a first resiliently deformable collar adapted to bereceived within said body portion, the collar having an opening adaptedto receive the post in forced engagement and the collar comprising aplurality of lengthwise-extending inwardly projecting ridges on an innersurface of the collar defining the opening therein thus to grip the postinserted therein and retain the post in tight engagement.
 2. A device asin claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion and the resilientlydeformable collar are of circular cross-section.
 3. A device as in claim1 wherein the collar is made from polyurethane.
 4. A device as in claim1 wherein the resiliently deformable collar further comprises aplurality of outwardly projecting ridges adapted to tightly engage saidbody portion.
 5. A device according to claim 1 comprising an outwardlyprojecting flange around the open end of the body portion.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 5 comprising one or more vanes projecting outwardlyfrom a tubular core of the body portion.
 7. A device according to claim1 adapted to retain the post by friction forces between the collar andthe post and the collar and the body portion.
 8. A device according toclaim 1 comprising engaging means on the post and the body portion toorient the body portion and the post in desired relative orientation andto prevent relative rotation thereof.
 9. A device according to claim 1comprising engaging means on the body portion and the collar to orientthe body portion and the collar in a desired orientation and to preventrelative rotation thereof.
 10. A device according to claim 1 comprisingmeans on the collar adapted to engage the post to provide a seal.
 11. Amethod of erecting a post using a device according to claim 1, themethod comprising installing the body portion in the supporting stratum,and introducing the post and the resiliently deformable collar into thebody portion, and forcing the post and the collar into tight engagementwith the body portion thus to retain the post in position.
 12. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion further comprisesmeans militating against tilting of the body portion away from a desiredorientation, when installed.
 13. A device according to claim 12 whereinsaid means militating against tilting comprises an outwardly projectingflange portion.
 14. A device according to claim 13 comprising one ormore vanes projecting outwardly from a tubular core of the body portion.15. A device according to claim 1 wherein the collar has a Shore Dhardness of about 65 with a collar minimum wall thickness of about 5 mm.16. A device according to claim 1 comprising reinforcing means moldedintegrally with the collar.
 17. A device according to claim 1 whereinthe collar comprises a relatively rigid core and inner and outer surfaceportions of softer more compressible material.
 18. A device according toclaim 1 wherein the collar comprises an outwardly projecting ranged endportion which overlies said open end of said tubular body portion.
 19. Adevice according to claim 18 wherein the collar further comprises aninwardly projecting lip which projects inwardly around thepost-receiving opening and upwardly whereby to form a fight seal betweenthe collar and the post inserted into the opening.
 20. A deviceaccording to claim 19 wherein the outer surface of the lip isfrustoconical.
 21. A device according to claim 18 wherein the collarfurther comprises lug projecting from an underface of the ranged endportion seated in a recess at said open end of said tubular body portionwhereby to locate the collar in a desired orientation relative to thetubular body portion.
 22. A device according to claim 1 wherein thetubular body portion has an opening, the device comprising an inspectionpit connected to the tubular body portion and providing access to saidopening for introduction of wiring.
 23. A device according to claim 1further comprising a second resiliently deformable collar housed in saidtubular body portion at a lower end remote from said open end and havinga tapering entrance portion.